Leschi Elementary

May 11, 2012

Dear Leschi families,

I know that many of you have been upset at the recent KIRO-TV story about our custodian, Mr. Harris.  The school district has spoken with the station and has relayed our concerns; please see below for the comments that were sent today to the reporter and the news director.

I want to stress that student safety is important to everyone at Leschi, and any allegations against Mr. Harris have been investigated and found to be unwarranted.  I believe that this story sensationalized an encounter that was filmed without our permission, and we have asked KIRO-TV to remove the video from their website.  I encourage you to let KIRO-TV know your opinions on this story.

From the video it appears that someone brought a hidden camera into our school.  I am asking everyone to remember that all visitors to schools need to sign in at the office and state their reason for visiting the school.  If you see unauthorized filming please let me know.

Thank you all for your support of Mr. Harris during this time, and for ensuring that your students stay focused on their education.

Sincerely,

Cashel Toner

Principal, Leschi Elementary

Click here to read the Letter of Support for Mr. Harris, signed by the Leschi Staff.

Here is the text of an email sent from the Seattle School District  to KIRO TV:

May 11, 2012

Sent via E-mail

Chris Halsne
Todd Mokhtari

KIRO-TV

Dear Mr. Halsne and Mr. Mokhtari:

We are extremely disappointed with the “investigative report” that aired Thursday night on KIRO-TV regarding Leschi Elementary School custodian Chester Harris.

First, we believe it is inappropriate for you to have included under-cover camera footage of our students that clearly identifies their faces, without parental permission.  While you did blur one student’s face, the others were clearly recognizable.  The families of these children are very upset and our principal reports that one of the students was in tears today as a result of your having him on television last night. We request that you take down the video immediately to protect the identity of these students.

Second, we want to reiterate that an independent investigation was conducted of the allegations against Mr. Harris and there was no information to suggest any wrongdoing. Additionally, a Feb. 9, 2012 Seattle Police investigation found no evidence of any criminal activity.  We provided you with these reports yesterday.

Third, from the video it appears that someone brought a hidden camera into Leschi.  As you may know, all visitors, including parents, must sign in and state their reason for visiting the school.  In this case, clearly no one knew about the filming, which raises concerns for us about the safety of our students and staff.  While we can’t stop you from using hidden cameras, I do want to point out that someone coming on to campus to film and not informing the office of that could result in permission to enter the school in the future being denied.

Last, from your video it appears Mr. Harris and another adult acted appropriately to intervene with an upset student.  Mr. Harris is very well respected in the school community and our staff and families are very upset by your coverage.

Sincerely,

Holly

Holly Ferguson

Executive Director of Partnerships, Policy & Strategic Communications

To download a full color brochure about Leschi Elementary click here.

From the Principal’s Desk

I hope that each and every one of you and your families enjoyed the break. It was terrific to
have some time to read, relax and spend time with family and friends. Over the course of the week I had the opportunity to read some books, exercise and rejuvenate! We took Emmett and Miles on a trip to Los Angeles to visit their two week old cousin. My sister had a healthy baby boy two weeks ago and mom, dad, and baby are doing very well. I think of Emmett and Miles as babies, but next to their cousin they are soooo big! Amazing!

Now that we are back from break I feel like it is a mad dash to the end of the school year. We have about two months of school left together and we have so much to do! It is important that your child is here on time every day in order to maximize learning. We are committed as a staff to making the most of this time with your children academically, socially, and emotionally. Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation!

As many of you know, April is a very important month for testing. All of our students, Kindergarten through 5th grade will participate in their final Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment. Please talk with your child about their assessment. Talk to them about doing their best and that this it is an opportunity for them to show all of the things they have learned! Our Kindergarten through 2nd grade students will take two 30 min. math sections and two 30 min. language sections. If students need additional time this time is made available to them. Our 3rd through 5th grade students will participate in one 60 min. math section and one 60 min. language session. If students need to take a break or need additional time, these accommodations are made available. Thank you for your support!

Our third, fourth and fifth graders will begin the Measure of Student Progress (MSP – formerly WASL) on May 8th. It is important to have a positive attitude about tests when talking with your children. I would ask for your help in communicating to your student the importance of doing their best on the MSP simply because it feels good to work hard! Although the tests can be rigorous, we know that the standards are not rigid. In fact, they are a means to stimulate highly creative thinking and problem solving. They have inspired a variety of instructional strategies such as guided reading and differentiated instruction. We use the MSP to assess important academic skills and the progress of students. We also use it to provide important and useful feedback for our teaching/learning. We do not use it to be the defining measure of a successful student, teacher or school.
While the intermediate students are involved with MSP, our kindergarten, first and second graders will be participating in the Teachers College Reading assessment. Each classroom teacher gives this assessment to each student in a one-on-one situation. This assessment helps us gain valuable information about reading levels, reading strategies used by students, and areas of growth. We find that by analyzing all of this, we become better teachers of your children. Our role as educators is really to ensure that every child is successful academically, as well as socially and emotionally. Children will take on the values of the adults around them. If we let them know that we support them in every way – these assessments are just one measure at this point in time – then they will see and feel the support. Thank you for your help!

In closing, I have one final request. The MSP will be given on May 1st, May 3rd, May 8th and May 10. Please help our students do their best by bringing 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students to school on time. It is critical for students to hear the directions, feel calm and settled, and be ready for success. Thank you!!!

MSP testing schedule
3rd grade: May 8th Reading, May 10th Math
4th grade: May 1st Writing, May 3rd Writing, May 8th Reading May 10 Math
5th grade May 1st Science, May 8th reading, May 10th math

Respectfully,

Cashel Toner
Principal
Leschi Elementary

The Leschi PTA has added on-line donations to help the PTA raise funds to support the students and staff of Leschi Elementary. If you chose to use the on-line donation, a 5% administrative fee can be either added or subtracted from your contribution depending on which option you choose.

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You can donate via downloading a donation form. Click here for the donation form.

Thank you for supporting the students and staff at Leschi Elementary!